Italy Vatican: Pope no longer in immediate danger
After more than three weeks in hospital, Pope Francis is no longer in immediate danger according to the doctors treating him. This is according to a medical bulletin published by the Vatican in the evening. However, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church must remain in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome due to pneumonia.
10.03.2025, 20:25
SDA
In the statement, the doctors expressed their satisfaction with the course of the past few days. It reads: "The Holy Father's clinical condition remains stable. The improvements recorded over the past few days have continued to consolidate." This was also shown by the blood tests. In addition, Francis is responding well to the drug therapy.
Still in hospital - no date for discharge
Due to the complex clinical picture, however, it remains necessary "to continue the pharmacological therapy in hospital for a few more days". The doctors did not give a possible date for discharge.
Francis last had two acute attacks of breathlessness more than a week ago. He was therefore repeatedly given mechanical ventilation - via a mask on his mouth and nose. He also received additional oxygen through a tube in his nose.
No more fever either
According to official information, however, he was never given artificial respiration. The Holy See had already been reporting a gradual, slight improvement for several days. Francis also no longer had a fever. The Pope has not appeared in public since being admitted to hospital. However, he thanked everyone for their prayers in an audio message. His voice seemed very weak.
At the age of 88, the Argentinian-born Pope is now the second oldest Pope in history. This Thursday marks twelve years since he was elected head of the Church as successor to the German pontiff Benedict XVI. On Sunday, he had to skip Sunday prayers in front of tens of thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square for the fourth time in a row. There are 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
